Teenager steals N340,000 after hiding in bank’s toilet overnight (Vanguard)
A 16-year-old boy, Adekunle Ayomikun, who allegedly hid in the toilet of a bank overnight and stole N340,000 was yesterday, remanded at Special Correctional Centre for boys in Oregun, by a Lagos magistrate’s court sitting in Igbosere.
The defendant, who is facing a count charge of stealing preferred against him by the Police, was docked before Magistrate K. O. Doja-Ojo.
However, the teenager pleaded guilty to the charge against him.
When Magistrate Doja-Ojo asked him, how he got into the bank, Ayomikun told her that he entered the bank around 4 pm during banking hours and locked himself in the toilet. Read more
Residents, others seek support for multimillion-dollar Ijegun Port City (Nation)
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Lagos State government and other relevant agencies have been urged to support the promoters of Ijegun Port City to decongest the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports and boost the economy.
Finding revealed that the promoters of the port city have invested over $11million on assets, dredging and reclaiming of swamp areas.
The Ijegun Port City is about two killometres from the Tin-Can Island port in Lagos.
A resident of Ijegun, in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr Rasaq Baligun, said the Ijegun Port City is worth over $30 million and urged the NPA and the government to collaborate with its promoters to generate employment. Read more
23-year-old man docked for alleged possession of Indian hemp (Vanguard)
The police on Monday docked a 23-year-old unemployed, Ademola Adeboje, at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly having weeds suspected to be Indian hemp in his possession.
Adeboje was charged with conspiracy, breach of the peace and unlawful possession of drugs to which he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Evelyn Ehiemua, told the court that the defendant committed the offenses on Feb. 11 at 11.40 a.m. at Shaba Street, Agege, Lagos.
“Adeboje conspired with others who are still at large to unlawfully have in his possession weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, smoking it in public and constituting nuisance by polluting the air,” Ehiemua said. Read more
FG to open Kara Bridge on Saturday (Nation)
Barring any last minute delay, the Federal Government has assured the public that the outbound Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, closed down for repair works would be opened this weekend.
The Lagos State Director of Works in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr Fred Kuti, said the government is working round the clock to ensure that the roads are opened on schedule.
“When we wanted to begin that project in January, we told the world that we would open the road for public use by February 29, and I can confirm that we are working round the clock to ensure that we fulfill our pledge to open the Kara Bridge section by this weekend,” Kuti said. Read more
NERC puts limits on Discos’ estimated billing (Punch)
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has placed limits on estimated bills that can be issued by electricity distribution companies to unmetered customers.
It said it had cancelled the Estimated Billing Methodology Regulation as a basis for computing the consumption of unmetered customers by the Discos.
NERC disclosed this in its order on the capping of estimated bills in the Nigerian electricity supply industry which it said took effect from February 20, 2020.
The commission said all unmetered R2 and C1 customers should not be invoiced for the consumption of energy beyond the cap stipulated by it. Read more
Appeal Court Justice who controls traffic (Nation)
Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem is next in line to become the President of the Court of Appeal, when Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa retires on March 6. ROBERT EGBE writes on her incredible story of becoming an active traffic warden in Abuja after losing her first son to a hit and run driver.
A time to die
There is a time for everything.
Those who knew Kwapda’as Rangna’an Samson Dongban probably won’t think of King Solomon’s biblical aphorism when they hear those words.
They will, instead, recall the 32-year-old law graduate who was knocked down and left for dead by a hit and run driver on Tudun Wada Road in Jos, Plateau State on September 23, 2011.
Two days earlier, Kwapda’as spoke those same words to his mother, the Hon Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem.
Dongban-Mensem, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, could not have known the fate they portended for her first son.
Forty-eight hours later, he lay groaning in a pool of blood with two broken legs on the accident scene. Passers-by looked on. Read more
Court quashes assets declaration case against Ekweremadu (Nation)
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out non-declaration of assets charged filed against former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu by the now disbanded Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for the Recovery of Public Property.
In 2018, the SPIP, led by Okoi Obono-Obla, alleged, among others, that Ekweremadu, “without reasonable excuse, refused and neglected to declare his assets upon being served a notice to declare”.
When President Muhammadu Buhari disbanded the panel and sacked its head, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) took over all the cases started by the panel, one of which is against Ekweremadu. Read more
Lesotho’s PM Thomas Thabane seeks immunity over murder of ex-wife (BBC)
Lawyers for Lesotho’s prime minister have told a court that he cannot be charged over the murder of his estranged wife because his position makes him immune from prosecution.
PM Thomas Thabane’s then-wife, Lipolelo Thabane, was shot dead in 2017.
The case has now been referred to the High Court. His current wife has already been charged with the murder.
Mr Thabane would be the first African leader to be charged with domestic murder while in office. Read more
Rare endangered breed of gorilla pictured in the wild for first time in 10 years (Metro)
Rare and endangered wild western lowland gorillas have been pictured in an area of Equatorial Guinea for the first time in more than a decade. The images, caught by camera traps, show curious young gorillas deep in their jungle home in central Rio Muni. They were taken by one of a series of cameras set up by conservationists from Bristol Zoological Society and the University of the West of England. Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List. Dr Grainne McCabe, head of conservation and field science at Bristol Zoological Society, described the images as a ‘career highlight’. Read more
Africa grapples with clean energy conundrum (BBC)
Africa is both the world’s least electrified continent and the most vulnerable to climate change.
And as the continent with the world’s fastest growing population, the decisions that African politicians make to boost power supplies could have an impact both locally and globally.
The conundrum is how to meet the demand for energy without making the climate situation worse.
There is a large amount of investment, much of it from overseas, going into renewable sources. But the continent also has untapped reserves of oil and natural gas, which it aims to exploit. Read more
Nurse, 40, who helps cancer-stricken children is diagnosed with incurable cancer (Metro)
A much-loved nurse hailed for her work treating children with cancer has been diagnosed with an incurable form of the disease. Erika Rucks, 40, discovered she had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer last summer, with the tumors spreading to the bones in her spine. But despite the ‘devastating’ diagnosis the married mother of three has continued to work as a pediatric oncology nurse at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Erika explained: ‘Even though I can’t necessarily cure my own cancer, I’m helping somebody else. Read more
Harvey Weinstein found guilty of rape in watershed case (BBC)
Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty of sexual assaults, including rape, capping a stunning downfall for the former Hollywood mogul and a victory for the #MeToo movement.
Weinstein, 67, was convicted in New York City of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act.
He was cleared of the most serious count of predatory sexual assault. He faces up to 25 years in prison.
He still faces charges in Los Angeles of assaulting two women in 2013.
At least 80 women had accused him of sexual misconduct stretching back decades, including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman and Salma Hayek. Read more
Rose McGowan celebrates Harvey Weinstein conviction as mogul is found guilty in landmark rape trial (Metro)
Actress, author and activist Rose McGowan has celebrated Harvey Weinstein’s conviction after the disgraced Hollywood mogul was found guilty on two counts in a landmark rape trial today in New York City. McGowan – who had previously accused Weinstein of sexually assaulting her in the 90s – said he will finally know how it feels to have ‘power wrapped around his neck’ as she joined other accusers in sharing messages on social media. The 67-year-old went on trial in early January facing five charges of rape and sexual assault, all of which he pleaded not guilty to. And today, a jury of seven men and five women found the disgraced producer guilty on the fifth day of deliberations. Read more
Donald Trump in India: Three killed in Delhi protest before visit (BBC)
Three people have been killed in Delhi in protests over India’s controversial new citizenship law, hours before a visit by US President Donald Trump.
A policeman and two Muslim civilians died in the capital’s deadliest day since the new law was passed last year.
Vehicles were set alight in the clashes, between supporters and opponents of the law, which critics say targets India’s 200 million Muslims.
Parts of the city remain tense as Mr Trump prepares for talks on Tuesday.
On Monday the US leader, who is on his first official trip to India, visited the Taj Mahal with his wife Melania. Read more
Vet gives parrot prosthetic wings after owner cut them off (Metro)
A parrot who became injured after repeatedly falling to the ground when her wings were clipped has been given a second chance at flight. Twelve-week old green-cheeked parakeet Wei Wei has been given a prosthetic pair of wings after hers were cut off by her owner. Vets at The Unusual Pet Vets in Brisbane, Australia, fitted Wei Wei’s new feathers and within hours she was back in the air once more. Dr Catherine Apuli, 31, said the ‘severe wing trim’ left the bird in agony and unable to fly without falling into the ground. Read more
Deontay Wilder: American blames ring-walk costume for Tyson Fury defeat (BBC)
Deontay Wilder has blamed his elaborate ring-walk costume for his WBC heavyweight title defeat by Tyson Fury.
The American, 34, said his costume was too heavy and as a result he “didn’t have the legs” for the fight.
Britain’s Fury, 31, produced a dominant display to win the title in Las Vegas on Saturday when Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh round.
Wilder also told US media he will exercise his rematch clause for a third fight against Fury.
“Fury didn’t hurt me at all, but the simple fact is that my uniform was way too heavy for me,” Wilder told Yahoo. Read more
Felix back with a bang as Atletico brush aside Villarreal (Vanguard)
Atletico Madrid followed up their surprise win over Liverpool by beating Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday as Joao Felix marked his return from injury with a first league goal since September.
Joao Felix came off the bench at the Wanda Metropolitano after almost a month out with an ankle problem and the 20-year-old looked refreshed as he drove in Atletico’s third in an impressive 3-1 victory.
Kieran Trippier was also back after recovering from a groin injury and he was involved in Atletico’s second goal as Koke headed in.
Angel Correa had earlier cancelled out Paco Alcacer’s strike for Villarreal. Read more
Deontay Wilder confirms Tyson Fury rematch with fight set for June 2020 (Metro)
Tyson Fury is set to take on Deontay Wilder for the third time in 18 months this summer after the American confirmed his plans to exercise a rematch clause. The Gypsy King floored Wilder in the third and fifth rounds before the 34-year-old’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh, losing his WBC title to the Brit along the way. A rematch clause was agreed by both fighters’ camp before the contest and the loser had 30 days after the bout to exercise their right for a third fight. Fury hinted after his win that a rematch was likely and Wilder has now confirmed to Athletic correspondent Lance Pugmire that he has taken the option. Read more
Liverpool come from behind to beat West Ham 3-2 (BBC)
Liverpool survived a rare night of struggle in this stellar season to overcome West Ham United and close to within four wins of the Premier League title as keeper Lukasz Fabianski suffered an Anfield nightmare.
Victory means Liverpool equal the English top-flight record of 18 successive wins, set by Manchester City from August to December 2017, with Jurgen Klopp’s side last dropping points in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in October. Read more
Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch, for the right price (Metro)
Floyd Mayweather is ready to come out of retirement, again, and box Conor McGregor, again, if someone is willing to pay him a truckload of cash…again. The 43-year-old has not boxed professionally since he stopped McGregor in the 10th round of their August 2017 bout. That took his professional record to a perfect 50-0, and while he has appeared in an exhibition bout against Japanese kick-boxer Tenshin Nasukawa, he has not been officially tempted out of retirement since. Read more
Football chiefs ban heading in training for young children (Vanguard)
Football chiefs in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Monday announced a ban on heading in training for children up to the end of primary school, to take place with immediate effect.
The three football associations issued a statement confirming changes to their heading guidance, which followed a study that showed former footballers were 3.5 times more likely to die from neurodegenerative disease.
The changes stated there would be no heading at all in the “foundation phase” — for primary school children — and a graduated approach to heading in training in under-12s to under-16s football. Read more
Kobe Bryant: Wife Vanessa leads emotional memorial to basketball star and daughter Gianna (BBC)
Vanessa Bryant has given a moving tribute to her late husband, basketball legend Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gianna at a memorial service in Los Angeles.
Former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Bryant, 41, and Gianna, 13, were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash last month.
Thousands of fans, celebrities and basketball stars attended Monday’s ceremony at the Staples Center.
“Kobe was the MVP of girl dads,” said Vanessa.
“He was the most amazing husband – Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words.” Read more
Rob Pelinka reveals Kobe Bryant’s ‘heroic’ final act before helicopter crash (Metro)
LA Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka paid a touching tribute to Kobe Bryant during the 41-year-old’s memorial in California on Monday and revealed the American’s ‘heroic’ final act was to help a young girl secure a baseball internship. Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26th when the aircraft came down over Calabasas, California. Read more
Coronavirus: Inter Milan v Ludogrets in Europa League to be played behind closed doors (BBC)
Inter Milan’s Europa League last-32 home match against Ludogorets will be played behind closed doors because of fears about the spread of coronavirus.
Inter were one of four Serie A clubs to postpone their weekend game.
Talks have been taking place between the club, Italian government officials and European football’s governing body Uefa about Thursday’s fixture.
With 165, Italy has the largest number of cases of the virus in Europe.
Many schools and colleges have been closed in Milan on Monday, although the local transport system is operating. Read more
Police lied about Remo player’s death – Lawyers (Punch)
Lawyers of Tiamiyu Kazeem have accused the Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command of trying to subvert justice over the death of the Remo Stars assistant captain on Sunday.
Adegbesan Adenola and Ogunsami Abisoye, representatives of the Tiamiyu family, in a press release sent to our reporter, accused the police of covering up facts when it was clear that a crime had been committed and there was the need for justice.
They accused the command of twisting facts, with a view of shielding the erring Special Anti-Robbery Squad officers from justice.
The Ogun state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, had earlier said the SARS officers had arrested Tiamiyu for wearing a military cap. Read more
5 die protesting player’s death in Sagamu as IGP orders DIG FCID to take over investigations (Guardian)
Five persons, including two policemen, reportedly died yesterday in Sagamu during the civil protests against the killing of a Remo Stars player, Tiamiyu Kazeem by an operative of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police.
Also, yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister, Sunday Dare and the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed joined Nigerians in commiserating with the family of Kazeem, who was allegedly pushed out of a moving vehicle by the SARS operative at the weekend. Angered by Kazeem’s death, Sagamu youths, who felt the police were attempting to exonerate their operatives of complicity, took to the streets demanding the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The protest, however, turned bloody after policemen deployed to quell the situation allegedly opened sporadic fire on protesters, throwing teargas canisters at the crowd. Read more
Ibrahim Mustapha happy to return for Plateau United (DailyTrust)
Plateau United leading goal scorer, Ibrahim Mustapha has said he is happy to return to training after injury ruled him out for close to three weeks. The former Enyimba FC striker had missed the home match against Dakkada FC of Akwa Ibom and Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Lobi Stars of Makurdi. Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the CHAN Eagles player expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for him to overcome the injury setback. He said he has recovered fully and is rearing to go in Plateau United’s future matches. Read more